Arriving at the Volvo design studio we are greeted by Jonas Sandström, exterior designer at Volvo Trucks. “I’m in a good mood today. And why shouldn’t I be when I’m looking at the friendliest-looking truck in the world?” he asks as he stands proudly next to the new Volvo FM.

Arriving at the Volvo design studio we are greeted by Jonas Sandström, exterior designer at Volvo Trucks. “I’m in a good mood today. And why shouldn’t I be when I’m looking at the friendliest-looking truck in the world?” he asks as he stands proudly next to the new Volvo FM.

From a driver point of view it can prolong your active career

“The Volvo FM is made to operate in urban environments,” Jonas Sandström points out. “That means regular routes with regular stops. This vehicle will become a part of everyday community life wherever it operates. So it has to fit in. That’s why we gave it a less assertive look. It’s closer to the ground and the graphics give the impression that the window line is lower. Visually, we’re connecting the driver with pedestrians, bicyclists and anyone else who might feel intimidated by trucks in traffic. With the new Volvo FM, it’s easy to make eye contact with the driver.”

Same, same but very different

Working with an established model raises a number of challenges. How far can you push change without creating something entirely new? Jonas Sandström pauses for a moment before answering. “I think it’s a very successful design. We’ve brought the new Volvo FM into line with the rest of the family. For example, it has the same distinctive headlights as the new Volvo FH. But we’ve retained the characteristics that made the previous model so popular. It’s familiar but with a little more attitude and a lot more character,” he says.

Capturing the essence

The Volvo FM is an exceedingly flexible truck. According to Jonas Sandström, it’s designed to look the part, too. “The rounded corners express the efficiency and drive of the Volvo FM. The one-piece steel front lid is not only aesthetically pleasing, but aerodynamically superior too. All in all, it’s a friendly, safe and hard working truck.”